Occupational Exposure to Swine, Poultry, and Cattle and Antibody Biomarkers of Campylobacter jejuni Exposure and Autoimmune Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

IntroductionFoodborne Campylobacter jejuni infection has been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, but risks of occupational exposure to C. jejuni have received less attention. This study compared anti-C. jejuni IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody levels, as well as the likelihood of testing positive for any of five anti-ganglioside autoantibodies, between animal farmers and non-farmers. Anti-C. jejuni antibody levels were also compared between farmers with different animal herd or flock sizes. The relationship between anti-C. jejuni antibody levels and detection of anti-ganglioside autoantibodies was also assessed.MethodsSerum samples from 129 Agricultural Health Study swine farmers (some of whom also worked with other animals) and 46 non-farmers, all from Iowa, were analyzed for anti-C. jejuni antibodies and anti-ganglioside autoantibodies using ELISA. Information on animal exposures was assessed using questionnaire data. Anti-C. jejuni antibody levels were compared using Mann-Whitney tests and linear regression on log-transformed outcomes. Fisher’s Exact Tests and logistic regression were used to compare likelihood of positivity for anti-ganglioside autoantibodies.ResultsFarmers had significantly higher levels of anti-C. jejuni IgA (p < 0.0001) and IgG (p = 0.02) antibodies compared to non-farmers. There was no consistent pattern of anti-C. jejuni antibody levels based on animal herd or flock size. A higher percentage of farmers (21%) tested positive for anti-ganglioside autoantibodies compared to non-farmers (9%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). There was no significant association between anti-C. jejuni antibody levels and anti-ganglioside autoantibodies.ConclusionsThe findings provide evidence that farmers who work with animals may be at increased risk of exposure to C. jejuni. Future research should include longitudinal studies of exposures and outcomes, as well as studies of interventions to reduce exposure. Policies to reduce occupational exposure to C. jejuni should be considered.

A role for B cells in organic dust induced lung inflammation

“…Recently, it was demonstrated that occupational exposure to livestock (i.e. swine, poultry, and cattle) was associated with a trend ( p = 0.1) toward increased levels of anti-ganglioside autoantibodies [ 46 ]. These authors had investigated anti-ganglioside autoantibody association because there was a higher prevalence of self-reported symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the Agricultural Health Study farmers who worked with animals [ 47 ].…”

Work-related increases in titer of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> antibody among workers at a chicken processing plant in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan, independent of individual ingestion of edible raw chicken meat

“…Campylobacter infection due to frequent exposure to the organism present on contaminated carcasses as well as in the working environment [5,6]. Previous studies of immunity against C. jejuni have focused on the detection and/or characterization of antibodies persisting in the sera of workers who developed foodborne illnesses [2,28]. In the present study, we examined whether workers in a chicken processing plant in Miyazaki prefecture have developed an acquired immune response to C. jejuni.…”

“…Protein identification was performed as described previously [28]. In brief, the CBB protein bands of interest based on the Western blot results were excised from the 2-DE SDS-PAGE gels, and washed with a solution of 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate (Nacalai Tesque) and 30% acetonitrile (ACN) (Nacalai Tesque) at room temperature for 10 min.…”

“…However, since such individuals rarely develop campylobacteriosis [6], some specific immune responses due to frequent exposure to low levels of Campylobacter may effectively protect them against disease manifestations [8]. This protection may be associated with increased antibody levels [28]. In this context, however, another parameter may be potentially relevant, i.e.…”

Gelatin, halal or haram? Gelatin, halal or haram?

“…Because of the pig's lifestyle, feeding and its biological structure, the amount of antibodies produced by the body of this animal is greater than the rest also; the amount of growth hormones produced in the body is greater than the body of other animals and humans. This high level of antibody and growth hormone naturally enters the muscle tissue of the pig; in addition, pork has a very high level of cholesterol, other lipids, and uric acid which are very harmful to humans [49][50][51]. The problem with the use of this meat and its products in countries like the United States and Germany is now known.…”